曾經有位親戚，她很喜歡算命，在聚餐時有時候會分享她的算命經驗，分享那位師父幫她算得很準，分享她如何透過老師的算命避過劫難，當然那些故事，我都是聽過就忘了，之後，她也有來問我，如何用電腦來算紫微斗數，因為我算是資訊專業的，假如是安裝軟體或安裝系統，我還可以稍稍應付，就幫她安裝軟體，讓她自己去玩玩看，對於算命，我真的覺得她有些走火入魔，我猜，她可能對未來很迷茫吧。
聽說，在古代，算命這樣的職業是神秘且高尚的，我印象最深刻的是熟悉數算卜卦的明朝開國元勳劉伯溫，小時候看的歷史劇，就把他的神機妙算、運籌帷幄描敘的神乎其神，在和朱元璋打天下的過程中，劉伯溫屢次力排眾議，幫助朱元璋作出正確選擇，而屢建奇功，朱元璋也常常前來，徵詢劉伯溫的意見，開國後，成為明太祖的朱元璋，最關心的當然是自己是否可以永保江山，他知道劉伯溫是深明數理的道中之人，便向劉伯溫詢問有關未來的事情，劉伯溫不好推託，於是他便作了一首似明非明的詩歌，這詩歌便是後世稱之為中國三大預言書之一的《燒餅歌》，它揭示了明朝的歷史發展，甚至對明朝之後的歷史都有預言。
回到現今的算命師，是否能像古代的能人異士們有鐵口直斷的本事呢？現代社會對於算命已經有些許的了解，普遍說法是結合統計學、心理學和觀察力的古老科學，而人們最常見的就是算感情，算婚姻，算學業，算事業，算工作，算健康，算命者透過仔細觀察及經驗統計，給予人們參考方向。
龍山寺因為香火鼎盛，附近的命理街也是聚集著各式各樣的命理老師，當人們去龍山寺拜拜後，心中還有所迷惘時，可以去命理街找人解惑，我和朋友路過龍山寺地下的命理街時，朋友突然提議要不要去給老師算算看，仔細看看命理街的狀況，會發現算命師都坐在自己的小房間內，等著客人上門，很多店的招牌都註明英日語都能溝通，可見得會來這裡算命的，除了本地人之外，外國遊客應該也不少，和朋友找了幾間有在營業的算命師，打聽一下情況，幾乎每位都給人洞察先機的感覺，但是整體來說，當天來算命的客人並不多，給我們一種不牢靠的感覺，於是，就我們找些藉口脫身。
之前，在某次聚會中，朋友有帶來一位專長塔羅牌的業餘塔羅牌占卜師，她有用空閒的時間執業，並打算辭去正職，專心往塔羅牌占卜師發展，她在聚會上一時興起，拿出塔羅牌，幫有興趣的朋友占卜一番，她身上帶著多副塔羅牌，每副都很精美，再點起了香氣蠟燭，突然就變得很有氣氛，所以很快就吸引到大家的注意力，不過，她對於我的塔羅牌解說及分析，並不正確，很多的說明，都似是而非，但是我也不說破，反正大家開心就好。
I had this relative who was really into fortune-telling. Sometimes during meals, she'd share her experiences, talking about how this one master was spot-on or how she dodged disasters with their help. Honestly, I'd forget those stories soon after. Then she came to me asking how to use a computer for Chinese astrology since I'm into IT. I helped her install some software to play around with, but I felt she was getting too obsessed with it. Maybe she was feeling lost about the future.
I've heard that in ancient times, fortune-telling was seen as a mysterious and prestigious profession. One figure that left a lasting impression on me is Liu Bowen, a founding figure of the Ming Dynasty who was adept at numerology and divination. I remember watching historical dramas about him as a kid, marveling at his uncanny ability to strategize and foresee events. During the tumultuous founding of the Ming Dynasty, Liu Bowen often went against popular opinion to assist Zhu Yuanzhang, helping him make the right decisions and achieve remarkable feats. Zhu Yuanzhang, later known as the Ming Taizu Emperor, was especially concerned about securing his rule. Aware of Liu Bowen's deep understanding of numerology and divination, he frequently sought his counsel about the future. When Liu Bowen found it difficult to evade the inquiries, he composed a cryptic poem known as the "Biscuit Song", which later became one of China's three major prophecy books. It not only shed light on the history of the Ming Dynasty but also made predictions about events beyond its era.
When it comes to modern fortune-tellers, can they possess the same uncanny abilities as those ancient masters? Well, nowadays, society has a bit more understanding of fortune-telling. The general idea is that it's a blend of ancient sciences like statistics, psychology, and keen observation. People mostly seek readings about relationships, marriage, education, career, work, and health.
Near Longshan Temple, there's this bustling street called Fortune-telling Street, where you'll find all sorts of fortune-tellers. When people feel lost after visiting the temple, they often head there for some guidance. Once, while passing through with a friend, he suggested getting a reading. Taking a closer look, we noticed each fortune-teller sitting in their little room, waiting for customers. Many signs boasted their ability to communicate in English and Japanese, indicating that tourists also frequent the place. We checked out a few fortune-tellers, and each gave off an aura of insightfulness. But despite that, there weren't many customers that day, leaving us with a feeling of uncertainty, so we made up excuses to leave.
At a previous gathering, a friend brought along an amateur tarot card reader. She practiced tarot in her spare time and was thinking of quitting her day job to focus on it. During the gathering, she whipped out her beautifully crafted tarot decks, lit some scented candles, and created a vibe that drew everyone's attention. However, her interpretations of my tarot cards weren't quite accurate. Many of her explanations seemed off, but I didn't bother pointing it out. As long as everyone was having a good time, it was all good.
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